5 Trees Worth Saving

Mammals are captivating, warm, and cuddly, however, a global analysis of around 14,600 conservation projects found that almost half of all species-focused funding went to just 47 species, primarily large ones such as elephants, bears, and wolves, while plants received only about 6.6% of total resources. 

Yet, trees are fundamental to the Earth’s health, they, among other things, stabilize soil with their roots, provide home and nutrition for countless species, and make our landscapes beautiful. When a tree disappears, it’s not just a single loss, it’s a shift in habitat. 

Some of the world’s truly remarkable trees are now mere remnants, quietly declining without the spotlight granted to charismatic animals. It’s long overdue that we give these neglected giants the recognition and protection they deserve.

The Firefighter

Florida Torreya is an evergreen tree of the yew family that lives in just a tiny 35 kilometer-long stretch of ravines along the Apalachicola River in the area of northern Florida and southern Georgia. In the 20th century, its population crashed by roughly 98.5% due to a fungus-caused canker disease, with most of its original habitat remaining intact. What used to be a stretch of over 0.3 million trees is now estimated to be less than 2,000 entities.

At its prime, Florida Torreya can grow up to 20 meters (65.6 feet) in height, however, ever since 1962, no trees of such size have been spotted. Nowadays, most members of the species are less than 2 meters (6.6) tall, with only a couple stems to display.

Florida Torreya’s main benefit for the environment was its low flammability. With this species going extinct and other more flammable trees populating its former habitat, the Apalachicola River area’s vulnerability to wildfire has increased. This puts the flora of the region, which includes 48 rare species, in danger, demonstrating how decline in one species can threaten entire systems.

The Dinosaur’s Friend

Wollemi Pine is one of the rarest tree species on Earth, with just 91 surviving individuals as of 2021, only 45 of which are mature. Today, Wollemi Pines live in only four small rainforest canyon sites in Australia, all of which are located in the Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Park.

Appearance-wise, a Wollemi Pine can grow to about 40 meters (131 feet) tall, its bark looking similar to bubbling chocolate, earning the species the “Coco Pops Tree” moniker.

When the species’ dwindling remnants were discovered in 1994, scientists pointed out that the tree belonged to a very ancient lineage that existed when dinosaurs were still alive. The tree was named the “botanical find of the century,” shaking the conservation efforts around the globe awake.

Due to the population being so small and isolated, the threats caused by diseases, fire, unauthorized human disturbance, and climate change are especially dangerous to the species. As a result, the exact location of the remaining trees has never been made available to the public.

A Chef and a Medic

The Science Maple

Acer Yangbiense is a maple tree endemic to Yangbi County in Yunnan, China. It grows in the Cangshan Mountain region at about 2,200-2,500 meter elevation and can reach up to 20 meters (65.6 feet) in height.

For years, the species was thought to survive as only five wild trees, but 2016 surveys found a total of 577 individuals in 12 different areas, with another 2019 search uncovering additional 166 trees. The main problem with restoring this species comes from its poor reproduction capacities, with most trees growing only male flowers and only 5.37% having both female and male blossoms. In addition, habitat degradation caused by human activity and climate change also plays a major role in this species endangerment.

What makes Acer Yangbiense especially notable is its contribution to science. In 2019, researchers mapped the tree’s entire DNA, creating the first full genome for this species and the first genome ever published for a maple tree. Having this information helps researchers study how the species evolved, how it adapts to its environment, and how it and similar trees can be better protected, making the species valuable outside its small population.

The Icon of Resilience

Sicilian Fir is the most endangered conifer in all Europe with only 30 mature trees surviving in nature. It lives in Madonie Regional Park, Sicily, growing up to around 14.4 meters (47.2 feet) in height and closely resembles a pine tree from a distance.

The species’s main struggles are loss of genetic diversity, scatteredness in population, weak regeneration, and a high rate of sterile seed production. All of these contribute to its slow extinction, which was initially launched by deforestation for construction projects due to the wood’s high flexibility and sturdiness.

Despite the hardships and the extremely small population size, mature Sicilian Firs are exceptionally genetically diverse, even when compared to other Mediterranean trees of much greater populations. Aside from the resilience of the tree’s genetic variation being especially admirable, this diversity also increases the tree’s chances to survive various threats like climate change induced calamities, stoking the hope that it might yet prevail.

Planting the Seeds of Change

These five trees come from different continents and habitats, but their stories point to the same truth: forests are fragile, and the loss of even a single species can leave permanent marks on landscapes, traditions, or minds.

Supporting forest restoration can make a meaningful difference. A donation to Canopy Tree Project can go a long way in supporting reforestation efforts that give trees and the ecosystems built around them a chance to thrive and stay out of endangerment lists.

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